Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certifications
Timeline
Generic

ZACHARY RICHARDSON

Wake Forest,NC

Summary

Cloud Security Architect & Consultant with over 15 years of experience in designing, implementing, and supporting cloud, hybrid, and on-premises IT infrastructures. Specializes in leading security engineering and administration teams across all stages of the cloud solution lifecycle, from initial requirements gathering to system implementation and ongoing support. Known for establishing robust IT operations and engineering strategies that prioritize the security and scalability of mission-critical IT systems. Adept at fostering collaborative partnerships with diverse business units and stakeholders to drive the successful development and deployment of cloud-based technologies. Pursuing opportunities in cloud security consulting and architecture. Additionally, experienced in IAM security engineering, ensuring the effective management of identities, access controls, and authentication mechanisms within cloud environments.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Cloud Security Architect

Freelancer
06.2023 - Current
  • Designed and Implemented Cloud Security Architecture
  • Developed comprehensive security architecture for cloud environments, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and compliance standards
  • Conducted Comprehensive Cloud Security Assessments: Led and executed thorough assessments of cloud environments, including GCP, Azure, and AWS
  • Evaluated security controls, configurations, and architecture to identify vulnerabilities, compliance gaps, and areas for improvement
  • Created strategies and proposed remedies for issues stemming from procedural obstacles, evolving threats, and technological advancements
  • Developed and implemented IAM compliance policies customized to meet the specific requirements of our customers
  • Performed IAM Audits and Risk Assessments: Conducted regular audits and risk assessments of IAM systems and processes to identify vulnerabilities, gaps, and compliance issues
  • Implemented remediation measures and security controls to mitigate risks effectively.

Senior Cloud Security Architect / Engineer

ACCESSIT GROUP
08.2021 - 06.2023
  • Managed consulting engagements with customers across multiple industries, working to advise customers in available cloud security and hybrid architectures that align with their unique business and technology requirements
  • Established and maintained robust IAM governance frameworks, including policies, standards, and procedures
  • Defined access management workflows, segregation of duties (SoD) policies, and identity lifecycle management processes to ensure accountability and security
  • Developed security architectures for cloud and cloud/hybrid-based systems based on business requirements
  • Evaluated and Selected IAM Technologies
  • Assessed various IAM technologies and platforms to identify the most suitable solutions for our organization's needs
  • Advised clients on native vs 3rd party IAM solutions
  • Enhanced overarching cloud security architecture governance across IT projects, architectures and designs.

Senior Network / System Architect

CADIENT TALENT
09.2019 - 07.2021
  • Led an initiative to migrate a Fortune 100 organization from on-premises database infrastructures to a hosted cloud solution, managing all aspects of solution procurement, engineering, and delivery
  • Leveraged strong technical skills in IT infrastructures and architectures to ensure the successful system designs and deployments, including conducting database conversions from Oracle to SQL, implementing Ansible, deploying automation scripting, and migrating from Red Hat Linux (RHEL) to Oracle Enterprise Linux (OEL)
  • Worked as the primary technical point-of-contact throughout all server virtualization activities, developing and supporting cloud-hosted architectures on VMware and VCloud Director
  • Deployed the IAM solution Duo for two technical teams, enhancing operational efficiency and bolstering security measures
  • Acted as a security and audit liaison, advising the company on best practice
  • Created security standards.

Senior System Administrator

POWERSECURE
10.2018 - 09.2019
  • Oversaw system engineering and administration activities to improve overall enterprise IT security postures by implementing and supporting new tools and platforms, including rolling out VMware servers in 10 sites, deploying Tenable and SIEMmonster, and implementing Cisco / Meraki networking equipment
  • Trained and mentored junior administrators and service desk teams, conveying best practices and processes for planning and delivering secure IT architectures.

Senior IT Manager

MERCURYGATE INTERNATIONAL
03.2017 - 10.2018
  • Managed a team of multidisciplinary IT and security engineers responsible for developing, implementing, and administering enterprise IT infrastructures; led the engineering and rollout of Windows servers, VDI infrastructures, disaster recovery solutions, and monitoring tools
  • Improved IT security and performance by establishing standardized processes required to coordinate IT projects, manage development pipelines, monitor solutions, and fine-tune systems according to immediate and evolving business needs.

Senior Network & System Engineer

YADKIN BANK
12.2015 - 03.2017
  • Engineered enterprise IT networks and infrastructures, driving all IT activities focused on ensuring the stability and integrity of core voice, data, and network services
  • Coordinated all IT resources and vendor-provided solutions, positioning all IT assets required for the successful planning and completion of IT engineering and support projects
  • Worked in tandem with the only security engineer to build out the security program for the bank.

IT Manager / Engineer

XCHANGE TECHNOLOGY GROUP
10.2014 - 12.2015
  • Directed IT operations and teams to deliver and support an enterprise IT infrastructure spanning 13 locations in seven countries, leading global efforts to engineer physical and virtual technology architectures
  • Led multiple technology rollouts that improved IT and business performance, including redesigning the global telecommunications network by decommissioning MPLS and implementing a site-to-site VPN overlay that doubled voice traffic throughput and produced more than $100,000 in cost savings.

Systems Engineer

DUKE MANAGEMENT COMPANY
10.2013 - 10.2014
  • Oversaw IT operations in charge of servicing an IT enterprise used to manage a $12 billion endowment for Duke University, coordinating IT systems and services across multiple sites; deployed virtual servers, databases, networks, terminal services, file services, email servers, and configured Active Directory and group policies.

System Administrator / Consultant

CLUBSOFT NORTH AMERICA
06.2013 - 10.2016
  • Managed IT system administration activities in support of more than 300 customer accounts, coordinating the development, implementation, and support of IT architectures comprised of physical and virtual servers, databases, web sites, CRM systems, email servers, and IT administration tools.

IT Systems Engineer

HILLSOUTH
07.2011 - 06.2013
  • Developed, installed, configured, and maintained healthcare IT systems and services, including EMR / EHR applications, enterprise servers, workstations, firewalls, switches, and networked peripherals.

Education

Information Technology/MIS

Francis Marion University
Florence, SC
06.2009

Skills

  • CLOUD PROVIDERS AND CONTAINERS: Azure, Microsoft 365, AWS, Docker and Kubernetes
  • SOFTWARE: Microsoft E5, Tenable Nessus, Palo Alto Prisma, Checkpoint Dome9, Orca CSPM, Splunk, Azure Sentinel, Qualys, Microsoft Defender, Crowdstrike, GitHub, Python, PowerShell, Terraform, Ansible, Intune, Microsoft Graph API
  • SECURITY STANDARDS: Azure Well-Architected Framework, CIS, NIST, AWS Well-Architected Framework, HIPPA, GDPR
  • IDENTITY: IAM, Azure AD/Entra, Active Directory, CyberArk, Okta, Duo, AWS Identity and Access Management
  • OPERATING SYSTEMS: Microsoft Server (All Versions), Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 5 - 7, CentOS, Oracle Enterprise Linux (OEL)
  • NETWORK & INFRASTRUCTURE: Cisco switching, VMware, Nutanix, Palo Alto Firewalls, Cisco ASA, F5, Checkpoint, SDWAN, SDN

Certifications

  • Information Technology/MIS, FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY
  • CompTIA Security+
  • CyberArk Defender – Privileged Access Management (PAM)
  • Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator
  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), Server Infrastructure 2016
  • VMware vSphere 6.5 Foundations
  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CIW Web Foundations Associate
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate: Data Center (CCNA:DC)
  • Fortinet Certified Network Security Professional (FCNSP)
  • CompTIA Project+

Timeline

Senior Cloud Security Architect

Freelancer
06.2023 - Current

Senior Cloud Security Architect / Engineer

ACCESSIT GROUP
08.2021 - 06.2023

Senior Network / System Architect

CADIENT TALENT
09.2019 - 07.2021

Senior System Administrator

POWERSECURE
10.2018 - 09.2019

Senior IT Manager

MERCURYGATE INTERNATIONAL
03.2017 - 10.2018

Senior Network & System Engineer

YADKIN BANK
12.2015 - 03.2017

IT Manager / Engineer

XCHANGE TECHNOLOGY GROUP
10.2014 - 12.2015

Systems Engineer

DUKE MANAGEMENT COMPANY
10.2013 - 10.2014

System Administrator / Consultant

CLUBSOFT NORTH AMERICA
06.2013 - 10.2016

IT Systems Engineer

HILLSOUTH
07.2011 - 06.2013

Information Technology/MIS

Francis Marion University

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